Shroud for SC Optical Connector

ABSTRACT

A shroud includes a first end portion configured to slidably receive a bulkhead adapter and a second end portion configured to slidably receive an SC connector. The first end portion includes an inner surface having ribs configured to engage the bulkhead adapter in an interference fit relationship, the second end portion includes an inner surface having ribs configured to engage the SC connector in an interference fit relationship, and the shroud permits the SC connector to be coupled directly with the bulkhead adapter in a push/pull engagement/disengagement relationship.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/582,180, filed Nov. 6, 2017. The disclosure of theprior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber connectors. Moreparticularly, the disclosure is directed to a shroud for an opticalfiber connector.

The mechanical tolerances involved in terminating single mode opticalfiber are much tighter than those for multimode optical fiber.Therefore, while it is quite common for multimode optical fiber beterminated at the point of use, for example, at a user's premises or atan outside junction box, in most product applications, single modeoptical fiber is not terminated in the field. When single mode fibermust be terminated in the field, then it can take a skilled technicianbetween about 15 to 20 minutes to splice fibers together either by usinga V-groove clamp or expensive fusion welding equipment.

Single mode fiber is therefore often provided in a range of differentlengths, pre-terminated at both ends with a connector plug ready to pluginto a matching receptacle. Commonly, eight or twelve single modeoptical fibers may be bundled together in an optical fiber cable havingan outer protective tube inside of which the optical fibers run.

An example of such a connector is the “Subscriber Connector,” or SCconnector, originally developed by NTT®. SC connectors have convenientpush/pull style mating, and are approximately square in cross-sectionand with a ceramic ferrule at the termination of the optical fibercable, surrounded by a plastic housing for protection. The SC connectorlatches into a matching socket in a simple push motion. The push-pulldesign includes a spring against which the ferrule slides within aplastic inner housing. This arrangement provides a reliable contactpressure at the ferrule end and resists fiber end face contact damage ofthe optical fiber during connection. The connector can be quicklydisconnected by first pulling back an outer housing, which is slidablerelative to the inner housing, to disengage a latch inside socketbetween the socket and the inner housing, before pulling the opticalfiber connector from the socket. Until the latch is thus disengaged, thelatch prevents withdrawal of the connector when the optical fiber cableis pulled in a direction away from the socket.

As understood by persons skilled in the art, Telcordia maintains variousproduct specifications for the telecom market. Regarding single-modeoptical connectors, Telcordia GR-326 provides a performancespecification for cable assemblies. Users of patchcords and cableassemblies frequently use GR-326 to specify basic performancerequirements for connectors and connectorized cable assembly products.

Some conventional cables that are terminated with an SC connector may bemade from a rigid polymer, which transfers a load applied to the end ofa cable to the ceramic ferrule at the end of the SC connector, therebyresulting in insertion loss. Telcordia GR-326 requires a maximuminsertion loss of 0.5 dB when a 1.0 kg, a 1.5 kg, and a 2.0 kg load areapplied to the end of the cable.

It may be desirable to provide a shroud to interface between an SCconnector and a bulkhead adapter to which the SC connector is coupled inorder to reduce insertion loss when a load is applied to the end of thecable. As such, a shroud according to the present disclosure may providea firmer, more solid connection that prevents movement of the SCconnector when an applied load is attached to the end of the cable,thereby reducing insertion loss. It may also be desirable to provide ashroud that does not alter the connection between the SC connector andbulkhead adapter.

SUMMARY

According to various aspects of the disclosure, a shroud includes afirst end portion configured to slidingly receive a bulkhead adapter anda second end portion configured to slidingly receive an SC connector.The first end portion is configured to include an inner surface havingribs configured to engage an outer surface of the bulkhead adapter in aninterference fit relationship, the second end portion is configured toinclude an inner surface having ribs configured to engage an outersurface of the SC connector in an interference fit relationship,dimensions of the inner surface of the first end portion are greaterthan corresponding dimensions of the inner surface of the second endportion, the shroud is configured to include an inner shoulder at aninterface between the inner surface of the first end portion and theinner surface of the second end portion, the inner shoulder isconfigured to limit a depth of insertion of the bulkhead adapter intothe first end portion of the shroud, a top wall of the inner surface ofthe second end portion of the shroud is configured to include a notchthat extends a length of the second end portion, notch being configuredto receive and permit passage of a protrusion extending from an outersurface of a top wall of the SC connector, the shroud is configured topermit the SC connector to be coupled directly with the bulkhead adapterin a push/pull engagement/disengagement relationship, and the shroud isconfigured to provide a connection between the SC connector and thebulkhead adapter that reduces insertion loss when a load is applied toan end of the cable at a boot end of the SC connector.

According to various aspects, a shroud includes a first end portionconfigured to slidingly receive a bulkhead adapter and engage an outersurface of the bulkhead adapter in an interference fit relationship anda second end portion configured to slidingly receive an SC connector andengage an outer surface of the SC connector in an interference fitrelationship. The shroud is configured to include an inner shoulderconfigured to limit a depth of insertion of the bulkhead adapter intothe first end portion of the shroud, the shroud is configured to permitthe SC connector to be coupled directly with the bulkhead adapter in apush/pull engagement/disengagement relationship, and the shroud isconfigured to provide a connection between the SC connector and thebulkhead adapter that reduces insertion loss when a load is applied toan end of the cable at a boot end of the SC connector.

In some aspects, the first end portion is configured to include an innersurface having ribs configured to engage the outer surface of thebulkhead adapter in the interference fit relationship, and the secondend portion is configured to include an inner surface having ribsconfigured to engage the outer surface of the SC connector in theinterference fit relationship.

According to various aspects, dimensions of an inner surface of thefirst end portion are greater than corresponding dimensions of an innersurface of the second end portion, walls extend from the inner surfaceof the first end portion to the inner surface of the second end portiondefine an inner shoulder, and the inner shoulder is configured to limita depth of insertion of the bulkhead adapter into the first end portionof the shroud.

In various aspects, the inner shoulder is at an interface between theinner surface of the first end portion and the inner surface of thesecond end portion.

In some aspects, a top wall of the inner surface of the second endportion of the shroud is configured to include a notch that extends alength of the second end portion, notch being configured to receive andpermit passage of a protrusion extending from an outer surface of a topwall of the SC connector.

According to some aspects, the shroud provides an insertion loss of lessthan 0.5 dB when at least a 1.0 kg load is applied to the end of thecable.

In some aspects, the shroud provides an insertion loss of less than 0.5dB when a 2.0 kg load is applied to the end of the cable.

According to various aspects, the shroud provides a firm connectionbetween the SC connector and the bulkhead adapter that is more firm thata connection between the SC connector and the bulkhead adapter in theabsence of the shroud.

In accordance with some aspects, a shroud includes a first end portionconfigured to slidingly receive a bulkhead adapter and a second endportion configured to slidingly receive an SC connector. The first endportion includes an inner surface configured to engage the bulkheadadapter in an interference fit relationship, the second end portionincludes an inner surface configured to engage the SC connector in aninterference fit relationship, and the shroud permits the SC connectorto be coupled directly with the bulkhead adapter in a push/pullengagement/disengagement relationship.

In some aspects, the first end portion is configured to include an innersurface having ribs configured to engage the outer surface of thebulkhead adapter in the interference fit relationship, and the secondend portion is configured to include an inner surface having ribsconfigured to engage the outer surface of the SC connector in theinterference fit relationship.

According to various aspects, dimensions of an inner surface of thefirst end portion are greater than corresponding dimensions of an innersurface of the second end portion, walls extend from the inner surfaceof the first end portion to the inner surface of the second end portiondefine an inner shoulder, and the inner shoulder is configured to limita depth of insertion of the bulkhead adapter into the first end portionof the shroud.

In various aspects, the inner shoulder is at an interface between theinner surface of the first end portion and the inner surface of thesecond end portion.

In some aspects, a top wall of the inner surface of the second endportion of the shroud is configured to include a notch that extends alength of the second end portion, notch being configured to receive andpermit passage of a protrusion extending from an outer surface of a topwall of the SC connector.

According to some aspects, the shroud provides an insertion loss of lessthan 0.5 dB when at least a 1.0 kg load is applied to the end of thecable.

In some aspects, the shroud provides an insertion loss of less than 0.5dB when a 2.0 kg load is applied to the end of the cable.

According to various aspects, the shroud provides a firm connectionbetween the SC connector and the bulkhead adapter that is more firm thata connection between the SC connector and the bulkhead adapter in theabsence of the shroud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary shroud in accordance withvarious aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1, anexemplary bulkhead adapter, and an exemplary SC connector terminating anoptical fiber cable;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1 assembledwith the exemplary bulkhead adapter and the exemplary SC connector ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 4A is a first end view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a top cross-sectional view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4C is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary shroud of FIG.1.

FIG. 4D is a top view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4E is a side view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4F is a second end view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4G is a first end perspective view of the exemplary shroud of FIG.1.

FIG. 4H is a second end perspective view of the exemplary shroud of FIG.1.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary shroud inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another exemplary shroud in accordancewith various aspects of the disclosure in an unassembled configuration.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the exemplary shroud of FIG. 6A in anassembled configuration.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another exemplary duplex shroud inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure in an unassembledconfiguration.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the exemplary duplex shroud of FIG. 7Ain an assembled configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4H illustrate an exemplary shroud 100 for use with an SCconnector 102 and a bulkhead adapter 104. In some aspects, the bulkheadadapter 104 may be a SENKO SC adapter, and the SC connector 102 may be aPPC® SC connector. The exemplary SC connector 102 terminates an opticalfiber cable 106 and includes an outer housing 108 to provide SC-stylepush/pull engagement/disengagement with a mating optical fiber socket ofthe bulkhead adapter 104. According to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-4H, the shroud 100 may be a single monolithicpiece of unitary construction.

The shroud 100 has a first end portion 112 and a second end portion 114in an axial direction X of the shroud 100. The first end portion 112includes an opening 116 configured to receive the bulkhead adapter 104,and the second end portion 114 includes an opening 118 configured toreceive the SC connector 102. The first end portion 112 includes aninner surface 120 with ribs 122 extending inward from each of the top,bottom, and side walls 124, 125, 126, 127 of the inner surface 120 in adirection transverse to the axial direction. Similarly, the second endportion 114 includes an inner surface 130 with ribs 132 extending inwardfrom each of the top, bottom, and side walls 134, 135, 136, 137 of theinner surface 130 in a direction transverse to the axial direction.

It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the inner surface 120 ofthe first end portion 112 are greater than the corresponding dimensionsof the inner surface 130 of the second end portion 114. That is, adistance from side wall 126 to side wall 127 is greater than a distancefrom side wall 136 to side wall 137, and a distance from top wall 124 tobottom wall 125 is greater than a distance from top wall 134 to bottomwall 135. Further, the ribs 122 extend from the inner surface 120 of thefirst end portion 112 by a distance that defines an opening sized toprovide an interference fit relationship between the ribs 122 and theouter surface 105 of the bulkhead adapter 104. Meanwhile, the ribs 132extend from the inner surface 130 of the second end portion 114 by adistance that defines an opening sized to provide an interference fitrelationship between the ribs 132 and the outer surface 103 of the SCconnector 102.

As shown in FIG. 4G, the shroud 100 includes an inner shoulder 140provided at an interface between the inner surface 120 of the first endportion 112 and the inner surface 130 of the second end portion 114. Theinner shoulder 140 is defined by walls that extend from the innersurface 120 of the first end portion 112 to the inner surface 130 of thesecond end portion 114. The inner shoulder 140 is configured to limitthe depth of insertion of the bulkhead adapter 104 into the first endportion 112 of the shroud 100. The depth of insertion may also belimited by flanges 141 extending from opposite sides of the bulkheadadapter 104. The top wall 134 of the inner surface 130 of the second endportion 114 of the shroud 100 includes a notch 142 that extends thelength of the second end portion 114. The notch 142 permits passage of aprotrusion 144 extending from the outer surface 103 of the top wall 146of the SC connector 102. As a result, the SC connector 102 can passthrough the shroud 100 and be received by a slot 148 in a top wall 149of the bulkhead adapter 104 for coupling with the bulkhead adapter 104.

When the shroud 100 is coupled with the SC connector 102 and thebulkhead adapter 104, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the ribs 122 extendingfrom the inner surface 120 of the first end portion 112 of the shroud100 engage the outer surface 105 of the bulkhead adapter 104 to providea firm connection between the bulkhead adapter 104 and the shroud 100.Meanwhile, the ribs 132 extending from the inner surface 130 of thesecond end portion 114 of the shroud 100 engage the outer surface 103 ofthe SC connector 102 to provide a firm connection between the SCconnector 102 and the shroud 100. As a result, the shroud 100 provides afirm connection between the SC connector 102 and the bulkhead adapter104 that is more firm than a connection between the SC connector 102 andthe bulkhead adapter 104 in the absence of the shroud 100.

It should be appreciated that the shroud 100 provides a connectionbetween the SC connector 102 and the bulkhead adapter 104 that iseffective is reducing insertion loss when a load is applied to an end ofthe cable 106, for example, at the boot end of the SC connector. Theshroud 100 is effective in providing an insertion loss of less than 0.5dB when a 1.0 kg, a 1.5 kg, and a 2.0 kg load are applied to the end ofthe cable, for example, at the boot end of the SC connector, as requiredto gain Telcordia GR-326 classification.

In some aspects, the shroud 100 may include scalloped notches 150 at theends 152 of opposing side walls 154 of the first end portion 112 of theshroud 100. The cutouts 150 may correspond with the flanges 141 toaccommodate the head of a screw (not shown), which can be used to attachthe flanges 141 of the bulkhead adapter 104 to a structure (not shown).The second end portion 114 may include cutouts 160 at the ends 162 ofopposing side walls 164 of the second end portion 114 of the shroud 100.The cutouts 160 may permit a user to determine whether the SC connector102 is properly coupled with the bulkhead adapter 104 based on theportion of the SC connector 102 visible through the cutouts 160.Further, the cutouts 160 may permit a user to grasp the SC connector 102for engagement and disengagement with the bulkhead adapter 104.

In use, in some aspects, the shroud 100 can be coupled with the bulkheadadapter 104, and then the SC connector 102 can be pushed through theshroud 100 and coupled with the bulkhead adapter 104. Alternatively, insome aspects, the SC connector 102 can first be pushed through theshroud 100. Then, the SC connector 102 can be coupled with the bulkheadadapter 104 and the shroud 100 can subsequently be coupled with thebulkhead adapter 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an exemplary shroud 500 issubstantially the same as the exemplary shroud 100 described above, butthe shroud 500 is formed as a two-piece structure. For example, theshroud 500 includes a first shell 501 and a second shell 507 that canbe, for example, snap fit together. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, thefirst shell 501 includes a plurality of fingers 570 that extend from abase 572 of the first shell 501. The second shell 507 includes aplurality of recesses 574 that are each configured to receive one of thefingers 570. In order to secure the first and second shells 501, 507 toone another, each of the fingers 570 may include a lip 576 configured toengage a corresponding shoulder 578 of a respective one of the recesses574. Otherwise, the shroud 500 includes the above-described features ofthe shroud 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an exemplary shroud 600 is substantiallythe same as the exemplary shroud 100 described above, but the shroud 600includes a pair of flanges 680 that extend from ends 652 of opposingside walls 654 of a first end portion 612 of the shroud 600 (only one ofthe flanges is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). Each flange 680 includes athrough hole (not visible in FIGS. 6A and 6B) configured to received afastener 684, such as for example a screw, including but not limited toa machine screw. The through hole of each flange 680 is configured toalign with holes 643 in flanges 641 of a bulkhead adapter 604. Thefastener 684 is sized to extend through the through hole and the hole643 and into, for example, a threaded opening (not shown) of a structure(not shown) to which the bulkhead adapter 604 is to be attached. As aresult, the shroud 600 is also secured to the structure by the fastener684. The opposing side walls 654 of the first end portion 612 of theshroud 600 include scalloped notches 650 to accommodate the head 686 ofthe fastener 684. Otherwise, the shroud 600 includes the above-describedfeatures of the shroud 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an exemplary duplex shroud 700 isillustrated. The duplex shroud 700 includes two shroud portions 700′ andis effectively the same as two side-by-side shrouds 100 that are formedas a single monolithic piece of unitary construction. In some aspects,the duplex shroud 700 can be formed as a two piece structure thatincludes two shells, similar to the shroud described above in connectionwith FIGS. 5A and 5B. The duplex shroud 700 includes a center wall 790that extends parallel to the opposing side walls 754. However, althoughnot visible in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the center wall 790 can only extend fromthe second end portion 714 toward the first end portion 712 as far as aninner shoulder (similar to inner should 140, but not visible in FIGS. 7Aand 7B) so that the first end portion 712 of the shroud 700 can receivethe bulkhead adapter 704, which also includes a center wall 792.Otherwise, the each shroud portion 700′ of the shroud 700 includes theabove-described features of the shroud 100.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities, or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shroud comprising: a first end portionconfigured to slidingly receive a bulkhead adapter; and a second endportion configured to slidingly receive an SC connector, wherein thefirst end portion is configured to include an inner surface having ribsconfigured to engage an outer surface of the bulkhead adapter in aninterference fit relationship, wherein the second end portion isconfigured to include an inner surface having ribs configured to engagean outer surface of the SC connector in an interference fitrelationship, wherein dimensions of the inner surface of the first endportion are greater than corresponding dimensions of the inner surfaceof the second end portion, wherein the shroud is configured to includean inner shoulder at an interface between the inner surface of the firstend portion and the inner surface of the second end portion, wherein theinner shoulder is configured to limit a depth of insertion of thebulkhead adapter into the first end portion of the shroud, wherein a topwall of the inner surface of the second end portion of the shroud isconfigured to include a notch that extends a length of the second endportion, notch being configured to receive and permit passage of aprotrusion extending from an outer surface of a top wall of the SCconnector, wherein the shroud is configured to permit the SC connectorto be coupled directly with the bulkhead adapter in a push/pullengagement/disengagement relationship, and wherein the shroud isconfigured to provide a connection between the SC connector and thebulkhead adapter that reduces insertion loss when a load is applied toan end of the cable at a boot end of the SC connector.
 2. A shroudcomprising: a first end portion configured to slidingly receive abulkhead adapter and engage an outer surface of the bulkhead adapter inan interference fit relationship; and a second end portion configured toslidingly receive an SC connector and engage an outer surface of the SCconnector in an interference fit relationship, wherein the shroud isconfigured to include an inner shoulder configured to limit a depth ofinsertion of the bulkhead adapter into the first end portion of theshroud, wherein the shroud is configured to permit the SC connector tobe coupled directly with the bulkhead adapter in a push/pullengagement/disengagement relationship, and wherein the shroud isconfigured to provide a connection between the SC connector and thebulkhead adapter that reduces insertion loss when a load is applied toan end of the cable at a boot end of the SC connector.
 3. The shroud ofclaim 2, wherein the first end portion is configured to include an innersurface having ribs configured to engage the outer surface of thebulkhead adapter in the interference fit relationship, and wherein thesecond end portion is configured to include an inner surface having ribsconfigured to engage the outer surface of the SC connector in theinterference fit relationship.
 4. The shroud of claim 2, whereindimensions of an inner surface of the first end portion are greater thancorresponding dimensions of an inner surface of the second end portion,wherein walls extend from the inner surface of the first end portion tothe inner surface of the second end portion define an inner shoulder,and wherein the inner shoulder is configured to limit a depth ofinsertion of the bulkhead adapter into the first end portion of theshroud.
 5. The shroud of claim 4, wherein the inner shoulder is at aninterface between the inner surface of the first end portion and theinner surface of the second end portion.
 6. The shroud of claim 2,wherein a top wall of the inner surface of the second end portion of theshroud is configured to include a notch that extends a length of thesecond end portion, notch being configured to receive and permit passageof a protrusion extending from an outer surface of a top wall of the SCconnector.
 7. The shroud of claim 2, wherein the shroud provides aninsertion loss of less than 0.5 dB when at least a 1.0 kg load isapplied to the end of the cable.
 8. The shroud of claim 7, wherein theshroud provides an insertion loss of less than 0.5 dB when a 2.0 kg loadis applied to the end of the cable.
 9. The shroud of claim 2, whereinthe shroud provides a firm connection between the SC connector and thebulkhead adapter that is more firm that a connection between the SCconnector and the bulkhead adapter in the absence of the shroud.
 10. Ashroud comprising: a first end portion configured to slidingly receive abulkhead adapter; and a second end portion configured to slidinglyreceive an SC connector, wherein the first end portion includes an innersurface configured to engage the bulkhead adapter in an interference fitrelationship, wherein the second end portion includes an inner surfaceconfigured to engage the SC connector in an interference fitrelationship, and wherein the shroud permits the SC connector to becoupled directly with the bulkhead adapter in a push/pullengagement/disengagement relationship.
 11. The shroud of claim 10,wherein the first end portion is configured to include an inner surfacehaving ribs configured to engage the outer surface of the bulkheadadapter in the interference fit relationship, and wherein the second endportion is configured to include an inner surface having ribs configuredto engage the outer surface of the SC connector in the interference fitrelationship.
 12. The shroud of claim 10, wherein dimensions of an innersurface of the first end portion are greater than correspondingdimensions of an inner surface of the second end portion, wherein wallsextend from the inner surface of the first end portion to the innersurface of the second end portion define an inner shoulder, and whereinthe inner shoulder is configured to limit a depth of insertion of thebulkhead adapter into the first end portion of the shroud.
 13. Theshroud of claim 12, wherein the inner shoulder is at an interfacebetween the inner surface of the first end portion and the inner surfaceof the second end portion.
 14. The shroud of claim 10, wherein a topwall of the inner surface of the second end portion of the shroud isconfigured to include a notch that extends a length of the second endportion, notch being configured to receive and permit passage of aprotrusion extending from an outer surface of a top wall of the SCconnector.
 15. The shroud of claim 10, wherein the shroud is configuredto provide a connection between the SC connector and the bulkheadadapter that reduces insertion loss when a load is applied to an end ofthe cable at a boot end of the SC connector.
 16. The shroud of claim 15,wherein the shroud provides an insertion loss of less than 0.5 dB whenat least a 1.0 kg load is applied to the end of the cable.
 17. Theshroud of claim 16, wherein the shroud provides an insertion loss ofless than 0.5 dB when a 2.0 kg load is applied to the end of the cable18. The shroud of claim 10, wherein the shroud provides a firmconnection between the SC connector and the bulkhead adapter that ismore firm that a connection between the SC connector and the bulkheadadapter in the absence of the shroud.